ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST II, III, IV, V

Full Job Description

HOW TO APPLY: See "Other Information" Below

Please be advised that the hiring process for this position is part of the Department of Health’s Hiring Innovation for Rapid Employment (HIRE) Pilot Project.

The Pilot Project will defer the traditional screening of applications for minimum qualifications until after a selection has been made.

Therefore, the referral of an application to the hiring manager and the opportunity to interview for the position do not indicate that the applicant meets the minimum qualifications for the position, nor do they guarantee employment.

If selected for the role, a comprehensive review of the application packet will occur to ensure that the minimum qualifications are met.

If the selectee is deemed qualified, a conditional offer will be issued.

This posting is for the State of Hawaii, Department of Health

The position is located on the Island of OAHU

Salary:

Level II $4,590 -$5,588 per month (SR-18, Step D to I)

Level III $4,961 - $6,043 per month (SR-20, Step D to I)

Level IV $5,369 - $6,535 per month (SR-22, Step D to I)

Level V $6,043 - $7,351 per month (SR-24, Step D to I)

The State Recruiting Office will refer all inquiries regarding this civil service recruitment to the Department of Health.

Requirements

The Environmental Health Specialist performs professional work involving the protection and promotion of public health and the environment by ensuring compliance with Federal and State laws, rules and regulations related to the elimination and/or prevention of environmental health, environmental impact, and occupational health hazards.

A position in this class receives on-the-job training in pertinent Federal and State laws rules, regulations, policies, procedures and investigation and inspection methods and techniques; participates with higher level specialists in field activities such as investigations, inspections and collection of samples to develop and expand understanding of pertinent rules, regulations, policies and procedures; and performs other related duties as assigned.

May also be required to work overtime as directed.

The EHS Level III position reflects performance of independent work where assignments are of a technical nature and moderate difficulty, with limited deviation from established standards.

Problems usually involve consideration of a limited number of factors which are readily detected and controlled and can be resolved by direct application of specific standards.

Work activities typically involve inspecting facilities, operations, activities and/or equipment; investigating and resolving complaints from the public; analyzing and evaluating data and recommending action; and/or conducting informational and educational outreach activities to ensure compliance with pertinent environmental/occupational health laws, rules and regulations; and performing other related duties as assigned.

Work assignments of more technical difficulty are performed in assistance to or under guidance of a higher-level specialist.

The EHS Level IV reflects responsibility for complex to highly complex work involving interpreting/evaluating considerable or specialized technical data and/or a variety of duties involving diverse and complex technical problems; and considerable decision making and use of judgment.

Incumbents are expected to resolve most of the conflicts that arise under general supervision of a higher level specialist or program supervisor; and performs other related duties as assigned.

The EHS Level V supervises a staff of lower level specialist engage in performance of highly complex monitoring, inspection, investigation and/or enforcement case development activities to enforce compliance with pertinent environmental/occupational health program laws, rules and regulations. Duties and responsibilities include planning, organizing, directing and coordinating work of the unit; assigning, scheduling and evaluating work; and providing guidance and advising subordinates.

Qualifications

GENERAL EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT: Education Requirement: Bachelor's degree from an accredited four (4) year college or university with a major in chemistry, physics, biology, zoology, environmental science or other closely related field of science.

The coursework must have included at least three (3) semester credit hours in college algebra or higher.

General Experience Requirement: (Level II) None.

(Level III-V) One (1) year of progressively responsible professional work experience which involved interpreting and applying principles, concepts and/or standards related to a chemical, physical, biological or related field of science; gathering, evaluating and analyzing facts and other pertinent information required to resolve problems and recommend appropriate courses of action.

The work must have demonstrated the ability to identify problems and alternative solutions, use judgment in determining appropriate alternatives, and prepare clear and concise written reports and recommendations for action.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT:

•(Level II): None.

•(Level III): Six (6) months of progressively responsible professional work experience in a field of environmental/occupational health which demonstrated knowledge and understanding of environmentally hazardous substances (e.g., chemical, physical or biological substances) or pollutants and required knowledge and application of laws, rules, regulations, methods and techniques pertaining to an area of environmental/occupational health such as clean air, clean water, drinking water, solid and hazardous waste, oil spill, etc.

The work must have involved gathering, analyzing and evaluating data related to environmentally hazardous substances; conducting inspections and/or investigations for hazardous environmental/occupational health conditions and ensuring compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations; approving and issuing permits to conduct activities and/or operations in accordance with environmental health regulations; and/or advising others on complying with environmental/occupational health program laws, rules, regulations and standards.

•(Level IV): One and one-half (1-1/2) years of progressively responsible professional work experience in a field of environmental/occupational health which demonstrated knowledge and understanding of environmentally hazardous substances (e.g., chemical, physical or biological substances) or pollutants and required knowledge and application of laws, rules, regulations, methods and techniques pertaining to an area of environmental/occupational health such as clean air, clean water, drinking water, solid and hazardous waste, oil spill, etc.

The work must have involved gathering, analyzing and evaluating data related to environmentally hazardous substances; conducting inspections and/or investigations for hazardous environmental/occupational health conditions and ensuring compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations; approving and issuing permits to conduct activities and/or operations in accordance with environmental health regulations; and/or advising others on complying with environmental/occupational health program laws, rules, regulations and standards.

•(Level V): Two and one-half (2-1/2) years of progressively responsible professional work experience in a field of environmental/occupational health which demonstrated knowledge and understanding of environmentally hazardous substances (e.g., chemical, physical or biological substances) or pollutants and required knowledge and application of laws, rules, regulations, methods and techniques pertaining to an area of environmental/occupational health such as clean air, clean water, drinking water, solid and hazardous waste, oil spill, etc.

The work must have involved gathering, analyzing and evaluating data related to environmentally hazardous substances; conducting inspections and/or investigations for hazardous environmental/occupational health conditions and ensuring compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations; approving and issuing permits to conduct activities and/or operations in accordance with environmental health regulations; and/or advising others on complying with environmental/occupational health program laws, rules, regulations and standards.

At least one year of the experience must have been comparable to the Environmental Health Specialist IV in State service.

The Environmental Health Specialist IV in State service is responsible for complex or highly complex work involving interpreting/evaluating considerable or specialized technical data and/or a variety of duties involving diverse and complex technical problems; and considerable decision making and use of judgment.

4.Supervisory Aptitude:

•(Level II-IV): None.

•(Level V): Applicant must possess supervisory aptitude.

Supervisory aptitude is the demonstration of aptitude or potential for the performance of supervisory duties through successful completion of regular or special assignments which involve some supervisory responsibilities or aspects; by serving as a group or team leader, or in similar work in which opportunities for demonstrating supervisory capabilities exist; by the completion of training courses in supervision accompanied by application of supervisory skills in work assignment; or by favorable appraisals by a supervisor indicating the possession or supervisory potential.

SUBSTITUTION ALLOWED:

Possession of a master’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in chemistry, physics, biology, zoology, environmental science or other related field of science may be substituted for one (1) year of the required General Experience.

Excess Specialist Experience may be substituted for the required General Experience.

Selective Certification: Specialized knowledge, skills and abilities may be required to perform the duties of some positions.

For such positions, Selective Certification Requirements may be established and certification may be restricted to eligibles who possess the pertinent experience and/or training required to perform the duties of the position.

Who May Apply

LEGAL AUTHORIZATION TO WORK REQUIREMENT: The State of Hawaii requires that all persons seeking employment with the government of the State shall be citizens, nationals, or permanent resident aliens of the United States, or eligible under federal law for unrestricted employment in the United States.

Additional Information

Complete Application Packet at: https://health.hawaii.gov/employment/job-opportunities/

Recruitment deadline is continuous.